Newsletter Winter 2013

SAHRA
1500 Avenue Rd, PO Box 1373
Toronto, ON M5M 0A1
Email sahratoronto@rogers.com
Winter, 2013
The South Armour Heights Residents’ Association
SAHRA’s Boundaries
What SAHRA Does
SAHRA exists to protect our neighbourhood from inappropriate
development, to act as an advocate for the residents of SAHRA, to
promote safety and security in the neighbourhood and to enhance
the environment and social life in the community.
We achieve this by actively reviewing and submitting concerns to
the City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment when builders try and
build houses that are inconsistent with that of their neighbours or
the neighbourhood. We liaise on a regular basis with Councillor
Karen Stintz’s office and with the Toronto police on safety and
security issues. For the past three years SAHRA has conducted
Jane’s Walks in May to introduce our neighbours to the history and
architecture in our area. For the past eight years we have hosted
Neighbours Night Out as an opportunity for new and old
neighbours to become acquainted, with ice cream and balloons
provided free to all comers.
All the above takes time, effort and money. If you have thoughts
about how we can improve please contact me. If you would like to
help, we would love to hear from you. If you would like to support
our efforts at keeping this the great neighbourhood it is I hope you
will mail-in or drop off your membership contribution.
Wishing you all the best in 2013.
Paul Baker
President, South Armour Heights Residents’ Association
We wish to thank the following members for their contributions in 2012.
Acton, L.
Anglin, G.
Armstrong, R.
Asailan, S.
Awrey, B.
Baker, P.
Ball, D.
Craig, P.
Deeks, J.
Deratnay, P.
Dill, J.
Dolan, B.
Douglas, S.
Downham, J.
Henning, J.
Higgins, T.
Holloway, L.
Ilkiw, J.
Irvine, A.
Jackson, G.
Johnson, R.
Pratt, R.
Robic, K.
Ruttonsha, S.
Sadler, J.
Schmid, D.
Simpson, P.
Stager, P.
Baxter, J.
Bernardo, M.
Black, C.
Bondy, S.
Bonner, M.
Bracht, E.
Brannan, M.
Bratton, J
Callander, R.
Calvin, D.
Cameron, D.
Clemens, D.
Contway, M.
Cooper, D.
Dunlop, W.
Eccles, J.
Elliott, R.
Fahie, K.
Feinberg, J.
Franks, J.
Galloway, I.
Garland, C.
Gliklich, I.
Green, M.
Guilfoyle, G.
Hastings, M.
Hawryliw, W.
Heinz, P.
Johnson, M.
Joynt, P.
Karrys, S.
Langdon, G.
LeNoury, J.
Lockwood, L.
MacLellan, R.
McKean, C.
Mitchell, T.
Moolenburgh, E.
Murray, C.
Nelson, J.
O’Neil, J.
Parker, M.
Stinson, T.
Taylor, R.
Thompson, L.
Vagners, Z.
Vice, B.
Walker, A.
Watson, A.
Welch, S.
Whiteside, B.
Williams, W.
Yeates, D.
Yeung, D.
Yoannou, J.
Yoannou, T.
401 down to south side of Brooke
East side of Avenue Road over to
west side of Yonge Blvd.
Approximately 789 households
2012 contributions compared to
number of houses on each street
Apsley Road
2 of 19
Armour Blvd
1 of 21
Avenue Road
0 of 8
Belgrave Avenue
7 of 34
Brooke Avenue
6 of 60
Delhi Avenue
4 of 44
Dunblaine Avenue
0 of 20
Elm Road
3 of 44
Esgore Drive
2 of 70
Felbrigg Avenue
17 of 85
Greer Road
5 of 8
Haddington Ave
4 of 59
Harley Avenue
1 of 10
Hedon Avenue
2 of 5
Jainey Place
2 of 14
Joicey Blvd
2 of 105
Ravenhill Road
2 of 15
Ridley Blvd
18 of 77
Saunders Street
4 of 11
Wilson Avenue
2 of 23
Yonge Blvd
Total:
6 of 57
91 of 789
Winter, 2013 Page 2
The South Armour Heights Residents’ Association
Useful Guide to North York
Committee Of Adjustment
Your Board of Directors
Monday
Paul Baker, President
Today
we are learning about dinosaurs.
paulwbaker@rogers.com
416-488-2642
We thank Councillor Karen Stintz for allowing us to insert
in our Newsletter a four page “Guide to the North York Tuesday
Geraldine Eccles, Vice-President
Committee Of Adjustment” prepared by consultant, LindaToday
g.eccles@ecclessales.ca
416-482-8808
we are learning about pets.
McCarthy. This is a great introduction and summary to
Ron Johnson, Treasurer
Wednesday
the often mysterious and sometimes imtimidating
Joh2399@bell.net
Today
we are learning about the solar416-782-9213
Committee of Adjustment policies and procedures.
system.
Sheila Dunlop, Secretary
You will see on Page 4 that Linda McCarthy is available Thursday
sheilakharrison@rogers.com
416-485-6718
to assist Ward 16 residents with their interactions with Today we are going on a field trip to the zoo.
John Ilkiw, Director
the Committee of Adjustment on behalf of Councillor
john.ilkiw@rogers.com
416-487-7791
Friday
Stintz’s office. Linda can be reached at
Today
we
have
a
special
guest
from
the
fire
llmccarthy_assoc@sympatico.ca or 416-483-6749.
Heather Crawford, Director
to tell us about fire safety.416-783-7324
SAHRA has first-hand experience with Linda’s expertise department
hcrawford@rogers.com
and guidance on issues before the Committee of
Please contact us if you have questions or issues
Adjustment.
that you want us to deal with.
Dealing with CofA Applications
Visit the SAHRA website (http://sahratoronto.com) to
review additional articles on this issue.
A very detailed “Guidelines for Dealing with Committee of
Adjustment Applications” prepared by the York Mills
Ratepayers Association in 2006
and
An article prepared by the Teddington Park Residents
Association and distributed by CORRA on “Minor
Variance Applications – 5 Nuggets of Wisdom”.
Did You Know?
The Boyd Gang - Edwin Alonzo Boyd worked for the
Toronto Transportation Commission after he returned
home from the war operating streetcars on the Yonge
line. On Sept 9,1949 he robbed a North Toronto
Bank of Montreal on Avenue Road which is now the
Left Bank Bistro. He was captured two years later
after another bank robbery and was sent to the Don
Jail to await sentencing. There he met Leonard
Jackson and Willie Jackson (no relation). The trio
escaped early Nov, 1951. They were joined by Steve
Suchan and the foursome, now called the Boyd Gang,
continued to rob banks. On March 6, Suchan shot
and killed Police Sergeant Tong and the Boyd Gang
was apprehended by the Police. On Sept 8,1952 the
Boyd Gang escaped from the Don Jail again and after
eight days were captured in a barn near Finch and
Leslie Ave. Steve Suchan and Lennie Jackson were
both hung for the murder of Sargeant Tong. Edwin
Boyd and William Jackson served lengthy jail terms.
Boyd was released after serving 14 years and moved
to British Columbia where he died of pneumonia on
May 16, 2002.
Thank You!
Unfortunately our Neighbours’ Night Out in Sept, 2012
had to be cancelled due to rain but special thanks are
still owing to the following sponsors who continued to
prepare/provide for the event up to the very last minute
when we had to cancel.
The Left Bank Bistro for providing the Raffle
prizes…four vouchers for a $75 dinner value.
Garrett Florist for donating the balloons.
Tim Horton’s/Coldstone Creamery for
donating the ice cream as well as coffee and timbits.
Hopefully we will have a sunny day next year!
Special thanks to SAHRA member Debora Bergeron
for preparing the article on “Focusing on Security”.
Remember to check the SAHRA website from time
to time for inserts of new information on community
history and issues. For example, information has
now been posted on the history of the Cricket Club.
http://sahratoronto.com
Winter, 2013 Page 3
The South Armour Heights Residents’ Association
The Avenue Road Study
lLooking for Volunteers
. In 2009, the City completed a two-year study for the
gradual improvement of the two kilometer stretch of
Avenue Road between Lawrence and Wilson. The
study was undertaken in consultation of the
community, including a kick-off public open house
held a Lawrence Park on May 1, 2007. A Local Area
Advisory Committee (LAC) was established
comprised of five local resident associations,
including SAHRA. Because there is no local
Business Improvement Association, business owners
expressed their views individually.
Building developments facing Avenue Road have
been categorized under two categories depending on
lot depth. Each category is subject to a 45-degree
angular plane restriction. This ensures sunlight on at
least one sidewalk until late afternoon, maintains sky
view from sidewalks, provides a comfortable
pedestrian scale environment and assures a modest
mid-rise built form. The study was conducted using
five guiding principles based on input from open
houses and the LAC.
The majority of lot depths on Avenue Road range
between 27 and 37 meters. The angular restriction
means these lots are restricted to a height of five
stories (16.5 m). There are ten potential development
sites with property depths of at least 40 meters,
known as larger opportunity development sites. The
angular restriction effectively limits these
developments to seven floors (22.5 m).
.
Four $75 Left Bank Bistro
Monday
Gift Certificates
Today we are learning about dinosaurs.
Renew or commence your first-time SAHRA membership
Tuesday
by March 31, 2013 and you will be eligible to win one of
four $75we
giftare
certificates
of Left Bank Bistro on
Today
learningcourtesy
about pets.
Avenue Road. Names will be drawn and announced by
Wednesday
April 30, 2013. SAHRA directors are ineligible.
Today we are learning about the solar
system.
Do You Want to Volunteer?
Thursday
Interested
supporting
has a new
Today weinare
going onaawebsite?
field trip SAHRA
to the zoo.
website. We need a web-meister to help update content.
Friday
Today
we have
a for
special
guesttofrom
the
We
are also
looking
a volunteer
act as
thefire
SAHRA
department
to tellApproximately
us about fire4 publications
safety.
Newsletter
Editor.
per year.
Please contact Paul Baker at paulwbaker@rogers.com
200 Ridley Blvd Proposal
A Community Consultation meeting was held on Oct 11,
2012. We are currently awaiting information on Next
Steps from the City Planning Department.
A Casino in Toronto?
This website includes the consultation plan and links to
background reports:
http://www.toronto,ca/casinoconsultation
The recently completed seven-floor development at
1717 Avenue Road, which was approved before the
commencement of the Avenue Road Study, provides
a concrete example of the angular plane restriction.
This was the first significant development on Avenue
Road in almost 30 years.
All Torontonians are encouraged to fill out the online
feedback form at:
https://surveys.dpra.com/casino/CasinoSurvey.aspx
The ten opportunity sites are:
The Beer Store
KFC/Toggery
1648-1660 Avenue Road
1678-1688 Avenue Road
McDonalds
Bruno’s/Drug Store
No Frills/Adjacent Retail
TD Bank Site
Nissan Dealership
RBC Site
A “No Casino” Toronto-wide citizen’s group marshals
very credible information explaining and illustrating the
problems caused by casinos. Full information available
at:
www.nocasinotoronto.com
See: http://www.toronto.ca/planning/avenue_road.htm
and http://sahratoronto.com for more information on
the Avenue Road Plan.
Information is also available on the SAHRA website:
http://sahratoronto.com
Future Events
Annual General Meeting
Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Jane’s Walk - Early May, 2013
Neighbour’s Night Out - Early Sept, 2013
Winter, 2013 Page 4
The South Armour Heights Residents’ Association
2013
SAHRA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
SAHRA’s mandate is to protect South Armour Heights residents from inappropriate planning and development from
residential, commercial, transportation and any other Government
sources; to promote safety and security in the South
Monday
Armour Heights neighbourhood and to enhance the environment
and
life within about
the community.
Your
Today wesocial
are learning
dinosaurs.
membership fees and donations help fund SAHRA activities including:
Tuesday
we are
learning
Addressing Committee of Adjustments and Today
OMB notices
and
hearingsabout pets.
1
2
Representing SAHRA interests at FONTRAWednesday
and CORRA meetings
Communicating with our City Councillor on neighbourhood
Today we are issues
learning about the solar
Updating residents on local issues via emailsystem.
and Newsletters and website (sahratoronto.com)
Hosting community-building events - Jane’s Walk (May); Neighbours’ Night Out (September)
Thursday
Holding regular SAHRA meetings and the Annual
Meeting (April), all open to interested residents
Today we are going on a field trip to the zoo.
This can only happen with the continued support and the involvement
Friday of the residents. We are dependent on your
contributions to support associated costs. Our fiscal year is Jan 1 to Dec 31.
Today we have a special guest from the fire
department to tell us about fire safety.
It would be most appreciated if you could take a moment and send in your contribution now for the 2013 year. Thank
you in advance for your support.
------------------------------------------------------------I would like to give my support to SAHRA. Please find attached my cheque for:
o $25 o $50 o $75 o Other $ __
Name
____________________________________________
Address:
____________________________________________
Postal Code
____________
Daytime Telephone ___________ Evening Telephone __________
Email Address
__________________________________________
Email is a fast way for us to let you know about upcoming neighbourhood events….
special presentations, social events, public forums organized by our Councillor, etc.
I am interested in volunteering my time for SAHRA. Please contact me to discuss
how I can help.
Optional: Please do not publish my name in the annual membership list.
Please make your cheque payable to “SAHRA”
You can mail it to SAHRA, 1500 Avenue Road, P.O. Box 1373, Toronto, ON M5M 0A1
OR drop it off at 109 or 118 Felbrigg Avenue
South Armour Heights Residents’ Association, Ontario Corporation Number 771757
1
Federation of North Toronto Ratepayers Association
2
Confederation of Residents and Ratepayers Associations
Remember the draw for four $75 Left Bank Bistro Gift Certificates